Sheet glass rolling machine



4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. '7, 1950 July 19, 1932. c. GONE SHEET GLASS ROLLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 19, 1932. C CONE 1,868,274

SHEET GLASS ROLLING MACHINE Fild NOV. '7, 195,0 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 31a/vento Carro/ Cone aucun,

July 19, 1932. C. @ONE 1,868,274

` SHEET GLASS ROLLNG'MACHLNE Filed Nov. 7, 1930 4 Shee'cs-Sheef'(I 4 v :J1/muto@ Carro/l Cone Patented July 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARROLL GONE, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO LIBBEY-OWENS-FORD GLASS COMPANY., OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION F OHIO SHEET GLASS ROLLING MACHINE Application led November The present invention relates to apparatus for the production of continuous sheet glass and more particularly to improvements in rolling machines.

This invention is primarily designed for use in connection with a sheet glass rolling machine embodying generally la pair of spaced forming rolls positioned above a mass of molten glass contained in a relatively shallow working receptacle or pot, said rolls being arranged relatively closely adjacent the surface of the molten mass and being rotatable in a manner to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly from said mass and reduce it to a sheet of substantially predetermined and uniform thickness. The sheet is continued upwardly for a relatively short distance and is then deflected over a bending roll into the horizontal plane, the sheet being carried forwardly by means of a plurality of conveying rolls which deliver it into a flattening chamber from which it passes intov and through an annealing leer. However, the present invention may also be incorporated in other types of rolling machines and is therefore not limited to use in connection with any particular machine.

According to the present invention, the forming rolls, bending roll, and conveying rolls are preferably carried by a common supporting frame removably mounted above the working receptacle so that the rolling machine proper can be easily and quickly moved out of operative position with respect` to said working receptacle when it is desired to change rolls or make any repairs to the said machine. By mounting the rolling machine so that it can be moved bodily into and out of operative relation with respect to the working receptacle, the changing of the rolls and the making of repairs lto the machine will be greatly facilitated. Moreover, while one rolling machine is undergoing 1epairs, another rolling machine can be moved into operative relation with respect to the working receptacle and the formation of the sheet continued.

The general aim and object of the present invention is the provision of means for maintaining the forming rolls, bending roll, and

7, 1930. Serial No. 493,966.

conveying rolls in rotation during the positioning of the rolling machine in operative relation with respect to the working receptacle or its removal therefrom, whereby to prevent the said rolls, and especially the forming rolls, from sagging or becoming warped during such transfer.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means acting automatically to' take up the drive of the forming rolls, bending roll, and conveyor rolls when the main drive is disconnected therefrom preparatory to the removal of the machine, and for continuing the drive of said rolls during the transfer of said machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. v

In the drawings froming a part of this application and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts through the same,

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a sheet glass rolling machine constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof,

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the overrunning clutch.

Referring to the drawings and particularly with reference first to Fig. 1, A designates in its entirety the working end of a continuous tank furnace and B, the rolling machine proper associated therewith. The furnace A includes a relatively shallow working receptacle or pot containing a mass of molten glass 11 which is preferably con tinuously supplied thereto from the tank 12. The working receptacle is supported on stools 13 contained in a chamber 14, the temperature of which may be controlled by means of burners of the like 15 operating through ports 16. To assist in properly conditioning the molten glass 11 and to protect the forming rolls and sheet, there is positioned above the molten glass within the working receptacle suitable cover tiles 17 and 18. Associated with the cover tile 18 is a cooler 19, also serving to prevent heat and gases from striking the forming rolls and also from striking and injuring the sheet being formed.

The rolling machine B includes a pair of forming rolls 2O and 21 positioned transversely above the working receptacle 10 and these rolls are preferably arranged so that the lower portions of the peripheries thereof are disposed in a manner that they contact with the surface of the molten glass. It is preferred, although not imperative, that the rolls be adjusted and the molten glass so controlled that the lower portions of the peripheries of the rolls just contact with the upper surface of the molten glass, being neither beneath this surface nor above. The forming rolls 2O and 21 are positively driven and are so mounted with respect to one another that they actually roll the molten glass into sheet 22. A heavy meniscus or source of supply 23 furnishes sufficient glass to the sheet forming pass between the forming rolls to allow an actual reduction in the thickness thereof. The sheet 22, after being formed, is moved vertically from the sheet forming pass for a relatively short distance and is then adapted to be deflected from the vertical into the horizontal about a bending roll 24 and then carried forwardly over a series of conveying rolls 25. As shown, the bending roll 24 is positioned in a relatively higher plane than the rolls 25. If desired, the sheet, instead of being trained about roll 24, can be deflected over the forming roll 2O and then subsequently deflected over the first roll 25.

Adjacent the series of rolls 25 and adapted to receive the sheet therefrom is an endless flattening table 26 arranged within a temperature controlled compartment 27. The sheet is passed from the flattening table into an annealing leer 28 which may include a series of rolls 29, upon which the sheet may be supported and conveyed therethrough.

Returning to the rolling machine proper, there is mounted longitudinally of the working receptacle 10 and in spaced relation thereabove, a plurality of spaced supporting beams 30 connected by the spaced transverse beams 31 to form, in effect, a substantially rectangular frame 130. The members 30 are supported at one end on the vertical metallic supports 32 and at their opposite ends on the niember 33.

The bending roll 24 is journaled at each end within a bearing housing 34 suspended from the supporting frame 130, and carried by these bearing housings and positioned therebeneath are bearing housings 35 and 36, within which the opposite ends of the forming rolls 2O and 21 respectively are journaled. The conveying rolls 25 are likewise journaled their opposite ends within bearing frames 37 carried by the depending arms 38 secured to the supporting frame 130. Since the specific construction of the mounting for the forming rolls, bending roll, and conveyor rolls is not a part of the present invention, a detailed description thereof is not thought to be necessary.

n Figs. 2 and 3 is disclosed more clearly the method of driving the vari-ous parts of the machine. The numeral 39 is used to designate a sprocket chain having connection with a suitable source of power and being trained about a sprocket wheel 40 carried on a shaft 41 which is a part of a reduction gearing contained in the housing 42. The shaft 41 extends horizontally through housing 42 and has keyed to the opposite end thereof a sprocket wheel 43 driving a sprocket chain 44 which is also trained about a sprocket wheel 45 arranged on a shaft 46 provided with a clutch mechanism 47. The drive from shaft 46 is designed to operate the leer rolls 29 through the universal connection 48. Mounted within the housing 42 is one end of a shaft 49 driven from shaft 41, the shaft 49 in turn driving, through suitable gearing contained within housing 50, the endless fiattening table 26. Also mounted within housing 42 is one end of a shaft 51 connected by means of a universal connection 52 to a shaft 53 going to the gear-case 54 which is carried by and movable with the supporting frame 130. The shaft 53 is mounted intermediate its ends in a roller bearing 55, said shaft eX- tending beyond said bearing and carrying a plurality of worms 56 adapted to mesh with worm gears 57 carried by the conveying rolls 25 to effect rotation thereof.

Keyed to the shaft 53 within gear-case 54 j is a gear 58 which meshes with a gear 59 carried on a shaft 60. n addition to the gear 59, the shaft 60 has keyed thereto a gear 61 meshing with a gear 62 carried on a shaft 63, which shaft is adapted, through suitable gearing, to drive the bending roll 24. A third gear 64 is also carried on the shaft 60, which gear meshes with a gear 65 carried on the shaft 66. The shaft 66 is splined as at 67 (Fig. 2), and is provided with universal connections 68. The opposite end of the shaft carries within the bearing housing 35 a worm meshing with a worm gear on the forming roll 20, whereby to drive the same.

A second gear 69 is carried on the shaft 66 and rotates therewith, which gear meshes with and drives a similarigear 70 on the shaft 71 so that the shafts 66 and 71 rotate in opposite directions. The shaft 71 also carries at its opposite end within bearing housing 36 a worm meshing with a gear carried at the end of the forming roll 21 to drive the same. As the roll 20 derives its power from the shaft 66, and roll 21 derives its power from shaft 71, it Will be seen that the two rolls rotate ries of teeth 87 adapted in opposite directions which, of course, is the desirable manner of driving the rolls.

By mounting the forming rolls 20 and 21, bending roll 24, and conveyor rolls 25 in the manner above described, the rolling machine B may be moved as a unit into and out of operative relation with respect to the working receptacle 10 whenever desired. In other words, the supporting frame 130 carrying the sheet forming rolls, bending roll, and conveyor rolls can be placed in operative position above the working receptacle or removed therefrom simply by means of a crane or the like having means engaging the hook-eyes 72. Thus, the rolling machine can be moved bodily from above the working receptacle whenever it is desired to replace any of the rolls or in order to make repairs of any kind to the machine. Moreover, when one rolling machine is removed for repairs, a complete new machine can be substituted therefor and the formation of the sheet continued. Vhen it is desired to remove the machine, it is only necessary to first disconnect the shaft 51 from shaft 53 by dismounting the universal connection 52.

The present invention also embodies means for maintaining the forming rolls, bending roll, and conveyor rolls in constant rotation during the transfer of the machine into or out of operative relation with respect to the working receptacle in order to prevent warping or sagging of the said rolls and, according to the invention, this may be accomplished in the following manner: Carried at the upper end of the gear-case 54 is a motor T 3 driving through the gear 74 a relatively larger gear which is keyed to one end of a shaft 76 rotatably supported in the bearing bracket 77. The opposite end of the shaft 7 6 extends into the part 78 of gear-case 54 and has keyed thereto a worm 79 meshing with a worm gear 80 secured to a clutch section 81 by means of the fastening elements 82. This clutch section is freely mounted upon a sleeve 83 encircling shaft 53 and is provided with a series of spaced projections or teeth 84 at the inner end thereof. Slidably mounted upon the sleeve 83 and located between the clutch section 81 and gear 58 is a clutch section 85 provided at one end with a plurality of projections or teeth 86 adapted to interengage the projections or teeth 84 on clutch section 81, and at the opposite end with a seto mesh with corresponding teeth 88 formed on the hub 89 of gear 58.

The motor 7 3 is adapted to be normally driven at a relatively slower speed than that of the forming rolls and likewise the bending and conveyor rolls are -driven by the sprocket chain 39 so that, under normal conditions, while the motor 7 3 may be operating at all times, it will have no effect upon the rotation of shaft 53 which is being driven at a relatively higher speed from the sprocket chain 39. This is due to the fact that since the gear 58 is being' driven at a higher rate of speed than the worm gear 80, the clutch section 85 will be caused to move outwardly to the left along the sleeve 83 to disengage the teeth 87 and 88 and, when this is done, the projections 84 on clutch section 81 are positioned opposite the lower portions 90 of the cam faces 91 on clutch section 85. However, when the drive from the sprocket chain 39 is stopped and the shaft 53 permitted to slow down, its rotation will be automatically taken up by the motor 73 when it has slowed down to a predetermined point. In other words, as soon as the shaft 53 has slowed down to the speed at which the gear 80 is rotating, the projections 84 on clutch section 81 will ride up on the cam faces 91 to abut projections 86 on clutch section 85, and this will cause the said clutch section 85 to be moved to the right to engage teeth 87 and 88. When the teeth 87 and 88 are moved into mesh with one another, the shaft 53 will be positively driven from the motor 73 through gear 80.

In order to discontinue the drive of shaft 53 from sprocket chain 39 prior to the removal of the rolling machine, t-he following apparatus is provided: Carried by the shaft 53 outwardly of part 7 8 of gear-case 54 is a clutch designated in its entirety by the numeral 103, and including a stationary clutch section 92 and a movable clutch section 93 slidably keyed to the universal connection 52 so that it may be moved along shaft 53 into and out of engagement with clutch section 92, the numeral 94 designating the intermeshing teeth of the two clutch sections. The slidable clutch section 93 is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with stationary clutch section 92 by means of an operating lever 95 pivoted adjacent its lower end upon a pin 96 carried by a bracket 97 secured to the part 78 of gear-case 54. The lever 95 is provided with the spaced legs 98 and 99, between which is secured a block 100 cut away at 101 so that it will fit over the shaft 53. The clutch sections 92 and 93 are normally held in engagement with one another by means of a spring 102. However, upon swinging of the lever 95 upon pin 96, the block 100 is adapted to effect movement of the slidable clutch section 93 either into or out of engagement with stationary clutch section 92. When the clutch sections are in engagement with one another,

the shaft 53 will be driven from sprocket chain 39 whereas, when the clutch sections are out of engagement with one another, the drive of shaft 53 from sprocket chain 39 will be discontinued.

As pointed out above, during the normal operation of the rolling machine, such as when a glass sheet is being produced, the shaft 53 and consequently the forming rolls,

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bending roll, and conveyor rolls are driven from the sprocket chain 39. However, when the drive of shaft 53 from sprocket chain 39 is discontinued upon disengagement of the clutch sections 92 and 93, the said shaft 53 will gradually slow down and, when it has slowed down to a predetermined point, it will be positively driven from the motor 73. Vhen it is desired to remove the rolling machine B from above the working receptacle, the level' 95 is first swung to the right (Fig. 1) to disengage the clutch section 93 from clutch section 92, whereupon the drive from the sprocket chain 39 to the shaft 53 will be discontinued. This will cause the shaft 53 to gradually slow down and, when it reaches a predetermined point, its rotation will be automatically taken up by the motor 73 in the manner above described. The shaft 5l can then be disconnected from shaft 53 by simply taking` down the universal connection 52, after which the entire rolling` machine can be removed from its operative position above the working receptacle l0 and, during the transfer of the machine, the rotation of the forming rolls, bending roll, and conveying rolls will be continued so as to prevent warping or sagging thereof. Vhen it is desired to replace the machine, the motor 73 is first placed in operation to rotate the various rolls and, While the rolls are being driven, the machine is placed in position above the working receptacle. The universal connection is then assembled to connect the shafts 51 and 53, after which the sprocket chain 39 is driven to effect rotation of shaft 53. Since the sprocket chain serves to drive the shaft 53 at a higher rate of speed than motor 73, the clutch section 35 will be moved to disengage teeth 87 and 88, whereupon the motor 7 3 can be continued in operation without effecting the rotation of said shaft.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subj oined claims.

I claim:

l. In combination in apparatus for producing sheet glass, a glass melting furnace including a working receptacle containing a mass of molten glass from which the sheet is adapted to be produced, a sheet glass rolling machine positioned above the working receptacle and including a plurality of forming rolls movable bodily into and out of operative relation with respect to said receptacle, means for driving the forming rolls 'when they are in operative relation with respect to the working receptacle in a manner to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly from said receptacle and reduce it to sheet form, and auxiliary driving means for driving the forming rolls when the firstmentioned driving means has been disconnected therefrom and during movement of the said rolls into and out of operative relation with respect to said working receptacle.

2. In combination in apparatus for producing sheet glass, a glass melting furnace including a working receptacle containing a mass of molten glass from which the sheet is adapted to be produced, a sheet glass .rolling machine positioned above the working receptacle and including a plurality of forming rolls movable bodily into andI out of operative relation with respect to said receptacle, means for driving the forming rolls when they are in operative relation with respect to the working receptacle in a manner to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly from said receptacle and reduce it to sheet form, auxiliary driving means for driving the forming rolls when the first-mentioned driving means has been disconnected therefrom and during movement of the said rolls into and ont of operative relation with respect to said working receptacle, and a manually operable clutch mechanism for disconnecting the first-mentioned driving means from the forming rolls.

3. In combination in apparatus for producing sheet glass, a glass melting furnace including a working receptacle containing a mass of molten glass from which the sheet is adapted to be produced, a sheet glass rolling machine positioned above the working receptacle and including a plurality of forming rolls movable bodily into and out of operative relation with respect to said receptacle, means for driving the forming rolls when they are in operative relation with respect to the working receptacle at a predetermined speed to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly from said receptacle and reduce it to sheet form, and separate driving means for driving the forming rolls at a relatively slowerspeedwhen the first-mentioned driving means has been disconnected therefrom and during movement of the said rolls into and out of operative relation with respect to the working receptacle.

4. In combination in apparatus for pro ducing sheet glass, a glass melting furnace including a working receptacle containing a mass of molten glass from which the sheet is adapted to be produced, a sheet glass rolling machine positioned above the working receptacle and including a plurality of forming rolls movable bodily into and out of operative relation with respect to said receptacle, means for driving the forming rolls when they are in operative relation with respect to the working receptacle at a predetermined speed to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly from said receptacle and reduce it to sheet form, separate driving means for driving the forming rolls at a relatively slower speed when the first-mentioned driving means has been disconnected therefrom and during movement of the said rolls into and out of operative relation with respect to the working receptacle, and a manually operable clutch mechanism for disconnecting the first-mentioned driving means from the forming rolls.

5. In combination in apparatus for producing sheet glass, a glass melting furnace including a working receptacle containing a mass of molten glass from which the sheet is adapted to be produced, a sheet glass rolling machine positioned above the working receptacle and including a plurality of forming rolls movable bodily into and out of operative relation with respect to said receptacle, means fordriving the forming rolls when they are in operative relation with respect to the working receptacle at a predetermined speed to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly from said receptacle and reduce it to sheet form, separate driving means for driving the forming rolls at a relatively slower speed when the first-mentioned driving means has been disconnected therefrom and during movement of the said rolls into and out of operative relation with respect to the working rece tacle, and means operable automaticallyY for causing the secondmentioned driving means to take up the drive of the forming rolls after the said first-mentioned driving means has been disconnected and the said rolls slowed down to a predetermined speed.

6. In combination in apparatus for producing sheet glass, a glass melting furnace including a working receptacle containing a mass of molten glass from which the sheet is adapted to be produced, a sheet glass rolling machine positioned above the working receptacle and including a plurality of forming rolls movable bodily into and out of operative relation with respect to said receptacle, means for driving the formingrolls when they are in operative relation with respect to the working receptacle ata predetermined speed to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly from said receptacle and reduce it to sheet form, separate driving means for driving the forming rolls at a relatively slower speed when the first-mentioned driving means has been disconnected therefrom and during movement of the said rolls into and out of operative relation with respect to the working` receptacle, a manually operable clutch mechanism for disconnecting the first-mentioned driving means from the forming rolls, and means operable automatically for causing the second-mentioned driving means to take up the drive of the forming rolls after the said first-mentioned driving means has been disconnected and the said rolls slowed down to a predetermined speed.

7. In combination in apparatus for producing sheet glass, a glass melting furnace including a working receptacle containing a mass of molten glass from which the sheet is adapted to be produced, a sheet glass rolling machine positioned above the working receptacle and including a plurality of forming rolls movable bodily into and out of operative relation with respect to said receptacle, a drive shaft having driving connections with the forming rolls, means for driving said shaft to effect rotation of the rolls when said rolls are in operative relation with respect to the working receptacle in a manner to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly from said receptacle and reduce it to sheet form, and auxiliary driving means for driving the shaft to effect rotation of the forming rolls when the first-mentioned driving means has been disconnected therefrom and during movement of the said rolls into and out of operative relation with respect to said working receptacle including a motor and an overrunning clutch mechanism associated with the drive shaft.

8. In combination in apparatus for producing sheet glass, a glass melting furnace including a working receptacle containing a mass of molten glass from which the sheet is adapted to be produced, a sheet glass rolling machine positioned above the working receptacle and including a plurality of forming rolls movable bodily into and out of operative relation with respect to said receptacle, a drive shaft having driving connections with the forming rolls, means for driving said shaft to effect rotation of the rolls when said rolls are in operative relation with respect to the working receptacle in a manner to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly from said receptacle and reduce it to sheet form, auxiliary ing means has been disconnected therefrom and during movement of the said rolls into and out of operative relation with respect to said working receptacle including a motor and an overrunning clutch mechanism associated with the drive shaft, operable clutch mechanism also associated with the drive shaft and by means of which the first-mentioned driving means may be disconnected therefrom.

9. In combination in apparatus for pro-4 ducing sheet glass, a glass melting furnace' including a working receptacle containing a mass of molten glass from which the sheet is adapted to be produced, a sheet glass rolling machine positioned above the working receptacle and including a plurality of formand a manually tion With respect to the Working receptacle, separate means for driving said rolls at a relatively higher speed after they have been moved into operative relation with respect to said Working receptacle so as to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly therefrom and reduce it to sheet form, and means operable automatically for causing the disconnecting of the first-mentioned driving means upon the placing of the second- Inentioned driving means in operation.

l0. In combination in apparatus for producing sheet glass, a glass melting furnace including a Working receptaclel containing a mass of molten glass from Which the sheet is adapted to be produced, a sheet glass rolling machine positioned above the Working receptacle and including a plurality of forming rolls movable bodily into and out of operative relation With respect to said receptacle, a drive shaft having driving connections with the forming rolls, means for driving said shaft at a relatively slovs7 speed to effect rotationof the rolls during the movement thereof into and out of operative relation With respect to the Working receptacle, separate means for driving the shaft at a relatively higher speed to effect rotation of the rolls after they have been moved into operative relation With respect to said working receptacle so as to draw a relatively heavy body of glass upwardly therefrom and reduce it to sheet form, means operable automatically for causing the disconnecting of the lfirst-mentioned driving means upon the placing of the second-mentioned driving means in operation, and a manually operable clutch mechanism by means of which the second-mentioned driving means may be connected to or disconnected from said shaft. Signed at Toledoyin the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, this 5th day of November CARROLL GONE. 

